BC teachers awarded $12,500 in grants

November 16, 2013

MARTINSBURG - When deciding to award mini-grants to Berkeley County teachers for the first time, Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation Executive Director Michael Whalton believed the foundation would receive two dozen applications. By the end of the three-week application period, it had received 166.

Thursday, the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation recognized 30 teachers who won grants through the Mini-Grants for Teachers program, ranging from $100 to $500 for supplies that will enhance their classrooms and provide for the students.

"So many teachers are spending their own money on little things that are considered extras, but really are necessary to provide the full experience that they want to provide to their students," Whalton said.

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Journal photo by Samantha Cronk

Berkeley County teachers received mini-grants ranging from $100 to $500 from the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation’s new Mini-Grants for Teachers program Thursday. Thirty teachers received grants, totaling $12,500.

Originally, the EWVCF dedicated $1,600 to the mini-grant program and was expecting to distribute grants to four teachers. After the overwhelming response, the foundation looked for extra funds and was able to award $12,500 worth of grants.

For Berkeley County Superintendent Manny Arvon, the foundation's decision to begin a grant program for teachers is the perfect example of community partnership.

"This is community. It just speaks volumes about Berkeley County and the relationship that we have among our citizens and the education community. Through the Community Foundation, looking at what outstanding teachers do daily and supplementing them with additional activities, I just think it's extraordinary. It's a partnership that I'm very proud of," Arvon said.

Teachers received grants in all academic disciplines, from art supplies to sheet music to a chicken-hatching egg kit.

Martinsburg South Middle School special education teacher Jessica Alfonso won a $420 grant toward the school's annual Autism Cafe fundraiser that contributes to an end-of-the-year field trip for special needs students.

"This year I wanted to have the kids cook in the cafe themselves, using their math and science and reading skills, so they would have a personal connection to the creations so they could promote it and feel proud when they earn the money," she said.

"I wanted to have something that was really going to connect them and embed them in the field trip that they earn. They're going to learn life skills, they'll apply their science and math skills, and they'll learn how to communicate with one another in the kitchen," Alfonso said.

Martinsburg High School theater director David Ryan received $500 for a personal body microphone system. Ryan said the high school is one of the last area high schools to update to this system.

"It's great to have this kind of an organization that recognizes the value in so many different aspects of the (education) community because a little bit of everything was represented, so I thought the grants were pretty evenly awarded," Ryan said.

Whalton said the foundation will make Mini-Grants to Teachers program an annual event. Next year, the foundation will expand the program to teachers in Jefferson and Morgan counties, and hopes to distribute at least $20,000 worth of mini-grants.